Lucid Theology

Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God

J.I. Packer

126 pages

InterVarsity Press (1961, 1991)

Recommend: Yes

Genre: Evangelism

Introduction:

There is no doubt that in my mind — from both personal experience and observation of those around me — that there seems to be a tension with the thought of God being completely sovereign in the affairs of man, namely salvation in this context, and the thought of God requiring us to share the truth that we have with those who don’t know it. “If God is truly sovereign over who gets saved and how they get saved,” so the argument goes, “then there is really no point in me going out of my way in witnessing the gospel of Christ to unbelievers. God is in charge . . . and if they’re going get saved with or without me then there is really no point in investing my time in evangelism.”

Though sad to admit, this has become the pervasive thought of many Christians today. One of the many charges leveled against Calvinism and its emphasis on the sovereignty of God in salvation is that which I just brought up. “It doesn’t make sense,” they say.

Despite the arguments and the critiques, Scripture clearly presents both of these truths — the sovereignty of God in saving sinners and the duty of Christians to evangelize (to share the gospel message of Christ and His saving work accomplished on the cross, received on the basis of faith). It is natural for the human mind to want to smooth out all the rough edges, as it were, to make it more comprehensible. Wanting to do this many err on either side. On the one hand you have those who emphasize the duty and responsibility of man to evangelize and they tend to leave God out of the equation in the process of salvation, as if salvation if all about man picking himself up by the bootstraps and gathering all the willpower to be saved. That of course has some real problems when you stop and ponder the biblical picture of man — man without God — and how utterly unable and unwilling they are to choose Christ in and of himself (e.g., Eph. 2:1-3; Tit. 3:3; Jer. 17:9, etc.).

But then we have those who overemphasize the sovereignty of God; so much so that we end up with a fatalistic system where man is seen simply as a robot, with no self-desire — a mere puppet in the hands of a puppeteer. This, again, has some serious Bible to deal with. Passages are replete which emphasize the call to repent of sins, to turn to Christ, to come and choose life (e.g., Acts 17:30-31; Matt. 11:28-30, etc.). But within the context of evangelism, no passage is more clearer than Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB), which has been commonly referred to as the “Great Commission”:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

With such a controversial subject, J.I. Packer seeks to deal with it head-on, using the Bible as his guide and source. Though a short treatment of the subject, it doesn’t lack in content. Packer has a way with words unlike many men whom I have read, which makes his ability to communicate effective and winsome.

Book Structure:

The book follows a simple outline. Packer first deals with the issue of divine sovereignty and how both Arminians and Calvinists find common ground on this issue. “On our feet we may have arguments about it, but on our knees we are all agreed” (p. 17).

In chapter two the core issue is dealt with, divine sovereignty and human responsibility. He admits the apparent contradiction — which Packer defines as an antinomy (def. “an antinomy . . . is an observed relation between two statements of fact. It is not deliberately manufactured; it is forced upon us by the facts themselves . . . We do not invent it, and we cannot explain it. Not is there any way to get rid of it, save by falsifying the very facts that led us to it” [p. 21]) — and concludes that there is a certain mystery to this subject, but the Bible nonetheless teaches these two truths. Far it be from us to cast aside any of these truths which the Bible makes so clear.

Packer then addresses evangelism in chapter three with four questions which he answers throughout the chapter: 1. What is evangelism?; 2. What is the evangelistic message?; What is the motive for evangelizing?; 4. By what means and methods should evangelism be practised? This is a meaty chapter which is very enlightening.

And finally in chapter four, Packer goes back once more and talks about divine sovereignty and evangelism. Suffice it to say that Packer does a superb job in dealing with such a intricate and mysterious subject, such as this one, simply and effectively. In his final lines, Packer sums up the effects of the sovereignty of God in our evangelistic efforts:

“Not only does it undergird evangelism, and uphold the evangelist, by creating a hope of success that could not otherwise be entertained; it also teaches us to bind together preaching and prayer; and as it makes us bold and confident before men, so it makes us humble and importunate before God” (p. 125).

Notable Quotes:

• “While we must always remember that it is our responsibility to proclaim salvation, we must never forget that it is God who saves. It is God who brings men and women under the sound of the gospel, and it is God who brings them to faith in Christ. Our evangelistic work is the instrument that He uses for this purpose, but the power that saves in not in the instrument: it is in the hand of the One who uses the instrument” (p. 27).
• “Evangelism is man’s work, but the giving of faith is God’s” (p. 40).
• “…It was the news about Jesus of Nazareth. It was the news of the incarnation, the atonement, and the kingdom–the cradle, the cross, and the crown–of the Son of God. It was the news of how God ‘glorified his servant Jesus’ by making Him Christ, the world’s long-awaited ‘Prince and . . . Savior’. It was the news of how God made His Son Man; and how, as Man, God made Him Priest, and Prophet, and King; and how, as Priest, God also made Him a sacrifice for sins; and how, as Prophet, God also made Him a Lawgiver to His people; and how, as King, God has also made Him Judge of all the world, and given Him prerogatives which in the Old Testament are exclusively Jehovah’s own–namely, to reign till every knee bows before Him, and to save all who call on His name. In short, the good news was just this: that God has executed His eternal intention of glorifying Hos Son by exalting Him as a great Saviour for great sinners” (p. 47).
• “Regarded as a human enterprise, evangelism is a hopeless task. It cannot in principle produce the desired effect. We can preach, and preach clearly and fluently and attractively; we can talk to individuals in the most pointed and challenging way; we can organize special services, and distribute tracts, and put up posters, and flood the country with publicity–and there is not the slightest prospect that all this outlay of effort will bring a single soul home to God. Unless there is some other factor in the situation, over and above our own endeavours, all evangelistic actions foredoomed to failure. This is the fact, the brute, rock-bottom fact, that we have to face” (p. 109).
• “We may not trust in our methods of personal dealing or running evangelistic services, however excellent we may think them. There is no magic in methods, not even in theologically impeccable methods. When we evangelize, our trust must be in God who raises the dead. He is the almighty Lord who turns men’s hearts, and He will give conversions in His own time. Meanwhile, our part is to be faithful in making the gospel known, sure that such labour will never be in vain. This is how the truth of the sovereignty of God’s grace bears upon evangelism” (p. 117-8).

Conclusion:

Conclusion is that Packer has given a great gift to the church is dealing with this issue and presenting a biblical (and logical, though mysterious) answer a question which often plagues the believer.

A great blessing is in store of the man that picks up this book. Need I add more?

The Expository Genius of John Calvin

Steven Lawson

160 pages

Reformation Trust (2007)

Recommend: Yes

Genre: Preaching / Biography / Church History

Introduction:

Steven Lawson, the author of the series, A Long Line of Godly Men, will, I think, contribute much to our understanding of the wonderful truths of the Bible. Separate from this book, yet in the same series, Lawson has embarked on a five-volume series on the doctrines of grace, as they’re commonly referred to. I’m midway with the first volume (Foundations of Grace) and I am in immense gratitude for this piece of work which has expanded and taken me deeper and deeper into the wonderful doctrines of the sovereignty of God in all of human affairs — salvation included– and the great grace we experience because of His good pleasure.

Despite our thoughts of John Calvin (1509-1564), one cannot dismiss his impact on the church — effects which we still feel today. While many have written on Calvin and his life, few have written solely of him and his preaching; Lawson seeks to do just that.

It is no understatement to say that preaching today is on a downgrade within the evangelical church. Lawson points out:

“Exposition is being replaced with entertainment, preaching with performances, doctrine with drama, and technology with theatrics. Desperately does the modern-day church need to recover its way and return to a pulpit that is Bible-based, Christ-centered, and life-changing” (p. xi).

Future books in this series will delve into the ministries of such men as Martin Luther, George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards (which is to come out in September of 2008, entitled, The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards), Charles Spurgeon, and others. It is no lie that my anticipation for this series is high and I’m sure I won’t be let down.

Book Structure:

The book covers everything in preaching — from core foundations to all the practical nuts-and-bolts of the preaching development to the concluding remarks of the sermon.

Here are the chapter titles:

1. Calvin’s Life and Legacy
2. Approaching the Pulpit
3. Preparing the Preacher
4. Launching the Sermon
5. Expounding the Text
6. Crafting the Delivery
7. Applying the Truth
8. Concluding the Exposition

In the chapters, Lawson breaks into very practical observations from Calvin’s preaching methodology (e.g., persuasive reasoning, vivid expressions, simple restatements, loving rebuke, climactic prayer, and many more — 32 in all).

The book as a whole is easy to read and follow. It’s a small (5.25 x 7.5) and relatively short.

[From publisher: pdf file of table of contents and sample chapter]

Notable Quotes:

• “The greatest seasons of church history—those eras of widespread reformation and great awakening—have been those epochs in which God-fearing men took the inspired Word and unashamedly preached it in the power of the Holy Spirit” (xi-xii).
• “Calvin’s high view of preaching was undergirded by a high view of God, a high view of Scripture, and an accurate view of man. . . . Where are such men of God today? Where are the preachers like Calvin, who will preach the Word with unwavering commitment? Where are the pastors who believe that God is uniquely with them as they mount their pulpits for the exposition of His Word? Where are the shepherds who have prioritized the preaching of the Word in public worship? Where are the expositors who will preach entire books of the Bible consecutively month after month and year after year?. . . . It is desperately essential in this hour that preachers recover a soaring vision of the supremacy of God. Life-changing, history-altering preaching will come only when pastors reclaim a high view of God’s blazing holiness and are overshadowed by His absolute sovereignty. Towering thoughts of God’s transcendent glory must captivate preachers’ souls. May you be one who leaves the lowlands of trivial thoughts about God behind. A low view of God leads only to mediocrity. But a high view of God inspires holiness and a resolute spirit. May you ascend to the heights of the mountaintop and behold, as Calvin did, the breathtaking glory of God.”  (pp. 34-35, 51).
• Calvin: “We must all be pupils of the Holy Scriptures, even to the end; even those, I mean, who are appointed to proclaim the Word. If we enter the pulpit, it is on this condition, that we learn while teaching others. I am not speaking here merely that others may hear me; but I too, for my part, must be a pupil of God, and the word which goes forth from my lips must profit myself; otherwise woe is me! The most accomplished in the Scripture are fools, unless they acknowledge that they have need of God for their schoolmaster all the days of their life” (pp. 41-42).
• This is where application must begin in every sermon— with the preacher himself. Before any expositor looks outward
  to the congregation, he must first look inward. One finger points out to the people, but three point back at his own heart. No preacher can take his people where he himself is not willing to go. May God give His church in this day humble and holy shepherds who practice what they preach” (p. 116).
  

Conclusion:

Some might say, “There’s really no point in reading a book such as this if I don’t preach.” — Nothing can be further from the true. While preachers will benefit greatly from a work such as this, I believe that ordinary folk who sit on the pews on Sunday mornings will reap great rewards from this work. We should all walk out saying, “We truly have heard the Word of God preached and proclaimed.”

The pulpit, and the preacher who stands behind it, are one of the most important — if not the most — aspects of a church body. It is from this dynamic that God has set in place where the people of the Lord hear the Word and commit to obey. The pastor shepherds the flock, and one of the ways he does that is by leading the sheep into the marvelous truths of Scripture, in order for us be fed by it and grow in regards to salvation. Furthermore, with such insights gleaned from this book, one will be able to support and pray for one’s pastor; knowing that the call is no easy task, but one which requires the preacher to bow the knee before the Lord and His Word and then, in the power of the Spirit, proclaim it to a lost and sinful world in desperate need of the truth.

All that to say that I warmly recommend this book to both preacher and congregant alike — both will greatly benefit.

Humility: True Greatness

C. J. Mahaney

174 pages

Multnomah (2005)

Recommend: Yes

Genre: Christian Living/Practical Life

Introduction:

In Isaiah 66:2, God says, “This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit” (ESV). What a standard! Humility is one of those character traits that the world values in word but not in actuality. For the Christian humility is not only indispensable, but a mandate. One of my good friends would often jokingly tell me, “I’m the most humble person I know,” while I would respond, “I’m so proud of my humility.” While we may joke around with humility, we all know the natural human tendency to become puffed up and arrogant. Sometimes we even portray a “false” humility where we fake our piety in order to receive applause and praise for our facade. Indeed, to be humble is the pursuit of a lifetime when placed under the perfect shadow of our Lord who Himself came not “. . . to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

From the outset, C. J. Mahaney makes this disclaimer:

“I’m a proud man pursuing humility by the grace of God. I don’t write as an authority on humility; I write as a fellow pilgrim walking with you on the path set for us by our humble Savior. I can only address you with confidence in the great and gracious God who has promised to give grace to the humble . . .” (pp. 13-14).

Book Structure:

The book is easily organized into three sections. In the first section, Mahaney examines how humility is our greatest friend with all its promises and how pride is our greatest enemy with all its perils. The second section seeks to redefine success by taking a look at the Word of God and observing Christ who not only redefined greatness by His words but ultimately by the giving up of His own life for His own creation. And then finally in the third section, Mahaney gets very practical with the “How To’s” in cultivating humility and weakening pride each and every day for the glory of God.
Notable Quotes:

• “The sad fact is that none of us are immune to the logic-defying effects of pride. Though is shows up in different forms and to differing degrees, it infects us all. The real issue here is not if pride exists in your heart; it’s where pride exists and how pride is being expressed in your life. . . . Pride takes innumerable forms but has only one end: self-glorification. That’s the motive and ultimate purpose of pride—to rob God of legitimate glory and to pursue self-glorification, contending for supremacy with Him. The proud person seeks to glorify himself and not God, thereby attempting in effect to deprive God of something only He is worthy to receive” (pp.29,32).
• “Jesus alone came to give His life as a ransom for the sins of many—and this separates Him from any other sacrificial service that anyone else anywhere could ever offer. Here we find what is completely, utterly, and categorically unique about the Savior and His example. And in true humility, our own service to others is always both an effect of His unique sacrifice and the evidence of it. His sacrifice alone makes it possible for us to achieve and experience true greatness in God’s eyes” (p.48).
• “What a powerful death! The cross ransoms, the cross liberates, the cross transforms! So make it your aim and lifelong habit, when you see someone serving, to be reminded of the sacrifice of the Savior, for apart from His sacrifice there is no serving. True greatness is attained only by emulating the Savior’s example—and made possible only by the Savior’s sacrifice” (p.58).
• “Let each of us recognize every day that whatever grace we receive from God is so much more than we’re worthy of, and indescribably better than the hell we all deserve” (p.71).
• “Humility doesn’t demand mathematical precision from another’s input; humility postures itself to receive God’s grace from any avenue possible” (p.134).
• “Those who know true joy in the midst of suffering are those who recognize that, in this life, our suffering is never as great or as serious as our sins. As Jonathan Edwards wrote, ‘How far less [are] the greatest afflictions that we meet with in this world . . . than we have deserved!’ That’s a divine perspective of suffering. Regardless of the severity of suffering we experience in this life, it will always be less than what we have deserved for our sins” (p.149).
• “That, my friend, is amazing grace, simply amazing! And because of Him we can know forgiveness of sins and freedom from fear of future wrath. Because He ‘humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross,’ we can be reconciled to God and know Him as Father and no longer as Judge—and only because of His perfect humility and perfect sacrifice on the cross for our pride” (p.168).

Conclusion:

Being humble is no easy job. To be truly humble as God defines it goes against the grain of our world’s conception of humility. It is only by the work of Christ that we can become truly humble. And yes, in a sense, in this side of heaven we will never arrive to perfection. By grace we strive each day to mortify the remaining presence of pride in us, and by that same grace we plead with God to grow in us a heart akin to God’s that seeks no recognition and no fame. What a calling?!

I hope Mahaney can awaken your heart to the reality of pride and the necessity for humility as he has in me. I recommend this book whole-heartedly for any Christian who seeks to glorify God in all things.

Additional Resources:

- Listen to this free sermon by C. J. Mahaney on the subject of humility, entitled “True Greatness.”

The Lightlings

R. C. Sproul

40 pages

Reformation Trust (2006)

Recommend: Yes

Genre: Juvenile Fiction

Introduction:

As a parent, one faces the task of presenting the deep truths of the Bible to your kids from an early age. R.C. has a bit of fame for not only being a Bible expositor, but a children’s author as well. In The Lightlings, Sproul presents the biblical story of salvation in an allegorical tale of a people known as the lightlings, which is sure to captivate a young audience.

Book Structure:

The bulk of this short book is the tale itself. We meet meet Charlie Cobb who asks a perplexing question to his mom before going to bed, “Mommy? Why am I afraid of the dark?” His mom, not knowing what to say, offers the suggestion of asking Charlie’s grandpa the next day. The next day before dinner, Charlie asks Grandpa the question; thus, the allegorical story begins.

A helpful addition is included at the end where parents have the ability to lead their kids in a deeper assessment of the rich biblical truths presented in the story:

3. The King made the lightlings to shine like Him. What was special
about God’s creation of people?

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish
of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. — Genesis 1:26-27

When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. — Genesis 5:1

Notable Quotes:

• “The father lightling answered, ‘He is not my son. He is the Son of the King of Light. The King has given Him to us as a special gift. He has been born for us. When He grows up, He will be called the Light of the World. There will be no darkness strong enough to hide His light, no darkness deep enough to send His light away.’”
• “Grandpa looked at Charlie and said, ‘You see, Charlie, we’re afraid of the dark because we were made to live in the light. But someday, all of us who love this Son will live with Him forever in heaven. When we go to the dwelling place of the Son, who is now the Light of the World, there will be no darkness at all. Not only that, there will be no moon. There won’t be any stars or even a sun. There’ll be no night lights, no lamps, no lanterns, not even any candles.’”
• ‘Charlie, let me make a suggestion. Every time you see the sun, the moon, or the stars, or light a candle, or turn on your night light, remember the story of the child the King of Light brought into the darkness of this world. And remember that He gave us this baby as a present. As long as you remember that, you will never, ever have to be afraid of the darkness again.’

Conclusion:

Though the intended audience is for ages 6 through 12, I particularly enjoyed the simplicity of this allegory. I look forward to the day, Lord willing, when I will have the duty and responsibility of rearing my children in the ways of God and sharing with them the deep doctrines of sin, grace, salvation, and redemption found in Christ.

I think Sproul’s tale will spark the interest of many kids, along with the beautiful illustrations by Justin Gerard.

Why One Way?: Defending an Exclusive Claim in an Inclusive World

John MacArthur

74 pages

W Publishing Group (2002)

Recommend: Yes

Genre: Apologetics

Introduction:

We live in a day in age when many people find it intolerant and narrow-minded to claim to possess truth. Postmodern thinking reigns and this has had a detrimental effect on the church’s stand on Christ as the only way to God. At one point tolerance was defined by being courteous and respectful to other people’s despite opposing views or thoughts, but now tolerance has morphed into accepting everyone’s views as equal.

The gospel is one which goes against the grain of our culture. It says that Christ is the only way for a sinner to be reconciled to God—all roads don’t lead to God. Pastor John MacArthur briefly examines why the gospel is so intolerant and exclusive.

Book Structure:

This book of 74 pages is divided into seven short chapters. MacArthur begins by describing the effects of postmodernism on the church an how commonplace it is for many “Christians” to feel uneasy and even circumvent Christ’s exclusive claims to be the “way, the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6a) and that “no one comes to the Father, except through [Him]” (v. 6b) for the sake of “unity”. MacArthur then focuses the remaining six chapters on six key distinctives of Christianity:

1. Objectivity
2. Rationality
3. Veracity
4. Authority
5. Incompatibility
6. Integrity

These six principles, MacArthur asserts, “build upon one another and interconnect in such a way that they stand or fall together. They give us the necessary framework for thinking, for making sense of the world around us, and for ministering in this postmodern age” (p.17).

Notable Quotes:

• “We need to remember that sinners are not won by clever public relations or the powers of earthly persuasion, but the gospel—an inherently exclusive message—is the power of God unto salvation. . . . We must resist the the tendency to be absorbed into the fads and fashions of worldly thought. We need to emphasize, not downplay, what makes Christianity unique” (pp.x,xi).
• “Biblical truth is objective. It is true by itself. It is true whether or not we feel it’s true. It is true whether or not it has been validated by someone’s experience. It is true because God says it is true. It is wholly true, and it is true down to the smallest jot and tittle. Psalm 119:160 says, ‘The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever’” (p.27).
• “We must recover our love for biblical truth, as well as our conviction that it is unassailable truth. We have the truth in a world where most people are simply wandering around in hopeless ignorance. We need to proclaim it from the housetops and quit playing along with those who suggest we are being arrogant if we claim to know anything for certain. We do have the truth, not because we are smarter or better than anything else, but because God has revealed it in the Scriptures and has been gracious to open our eyes to see it. We would be sinning if we tried to keep the truth to ourselves” (p.48).
• “That sort of obedience to the Word of God has shaped and molded our ministry over the years. It shows up even in the way we worship. We don’t entertain people. We don’t have a god-and-pony show. We gather to worship God, to exalt Christ, and to hear the Word of God preached. We practice church discipline as outlined in Matthew 18:15-20. We seek to obey what Scripture teaches, no matter how politically incorrect or our of fashion it might seem. And at a time when many churches are becoming more and more like the world, our goal is to be conformed more and more to the standard set forth in the Scriptures” (p.71).

Conclusion:

Though not one of my favorite John MacArthur books, I do think it serves as a good introductory work into why Christianity is exclusive in its claims of salvation. If one wants to better handle this increasingly divergent and “hot” issue, then reading this book would suit well.

———

Recently, Pulpit Magazine did a series where they condensed this book into eight short articles. If one were to get the cliff notes for this book, these would be it:

1. War of the Worldviews (Part 1)
2. War of the Worldviews (Part 2)
3. Truly Objective
4. The Truth is Rational
5. Nothing But The Truth
6. The Final Authority, Period.
7. Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?
8. Making It Practical

Jesus the Evangelist: Learning to share the gospel from the book of John

Richard D. Phillips

208 pages

Reformation Trust (2007)

Recommend: Yes

Genre: Evangelism

Introduction:

As Christians we are all called to evangelize, that is, we’re all commanded to share with the world the good news of Jesus Christ and the hope and grace He offers lost and broken sinners. Pastor Richard D. Phillips goes to the Bible and examines the ultimate model for our evangelism, namely, Jesus Christ Himself. With clarity and conviction, Phillips looks at what it means to be an evangelist biblically. He covers issues such as what exactly is one to say in presenting the gospel and many others; but all in all, he leads the reader to discover the truths in the Word of God itself.

Book Structure:

This book is organized into three parts, corresponding to John chapters one, three, and four. In the first part, Phillips looks at the biblical principles for evangelism by gleaning from John 1 at how John the Baptist came “to bear witness about the light” (Jn. 1:7). This section also looks at the calling of the disciples through the disciple Andrew and Jesus Himself and the principles of what is and what is not a good Christian witness.

Part two looks at John 3 and Jesus’ encounter with the pharisee Nicodemus. The theology of the gospel is examined in this portion with a special emphasis on the content of our gospel presentation. The topics covered are the necessity of the new birth; the supernatural work of God in the new birth; the evidence of the new birth in the life of an individual; the love of God in Christ; faith as the means of receiving salvation; and, of course, the atoning work of Christ’s death on the cross.

Part three focuses on Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman in John 4. It is here where Phillips observes the practice of evangelism in Jesus’ witness to her and looks at how He presented His salvation offer in a way that met her where she was. Consequently, Phillips looks at how this encounter with Christ changed this woman and how it fueled her passion for sharing the hope she had found with others.

A helpful appendix is included at the end which examines an issue which often is of controversy: the sovereignty of God in our evangelism.

Notable Quotes:

• “In our witness, we are to shine not our own light but Christ’s light. Just as a lamp requires oil, we depend on our fellowship with Christ and the Holy Spirit’s enlivening ministry through God’s Word in order that Christ’s light may shine through us. To use a different metaphor, we are like the moon reflecting the light of the sun. On our own, we are in darkness, but a great light has shined and is shining on us, and we are to reflect it into the world” (pp.14,15).
• “Jesus set us free and brought us into His royal family so that, with Him, we now are the victors in the battle that He won on the cross. Here is our triumph—what Christ has done as the Lamb of God for us. We simply believe on Him, committing ourselves to Him, and are saved. A healthy, spiritually thriving Christian never forgets that. He never tires of glorifying Jesus as ‘the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’ But he also says, ‘It was my sin that He took away, as well’” (p.37).
• “If we are not excited about God’s Word, if we are not warmed by close fellowship with God, and if we are not humbled by Christ’s suffering in the cross for our sins, we will not be very effective witnesses. . . . [O]ur witness must always have this aim: not to win arguments, not to present an interesting philosophy pr a helpful lifestyle, but to bring people to Jesus. He is the only One who truly can save the sinner’s soul, and if we simply bring people to Him, He will do the rest. ‘The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost,’ Jesus said (Luke 19:10). He is seeking and saving the lost today just as in prior times, and He does so through our witness that brings people to Him” (pp.50,54).
• “The Holy Spirit’s work does not end with the new birth—having made us alive, He goes on to bring us more and more to life, working in us the life of God and molding our character into Christlikeness. The new birth is the beginning of a lifelong process of spiritual animation and growth, and is the pledge of glorious things yet to come. How wonderful that Christians are no longer what we once were, but how wonderful it also is that we someday will become what we are not yet” (p. 67).
• “[W]e should love God for His love in giving Jesus Christ to die for us. And we should express that devotion by loving others with the same kind of love God has shown to us. We are to show a love the world does not know—a love not based on getting, but a love that says, ‘God has given to me, so I want to love Him by giving to others.’ This giving love should beautify our marriages, enliven our friendships, glorify God in the church, and inspire in us a loving fervor in evangelism. . . . Living out God’s amazing, giving love will be our strongest testimony to a loveless world. If we will only do so, others will learn of God’s great love from us and will come to understand that by believing in Him, they, too, will have eternal life” (pp.92,93).
• “Our spiritual maturation will . . . progress as we see more clearly the true depth of our sin, the true holiness of God, and the great gulf between us—and thus also see the true greatness of His love for us that moved Him to give His Son to save sinners so infinitely below Him. This is why the humblest Christians are the happiest Christians, and why the humble and happy Christians tend to be holy Christians, as well. All of these benefits stem from an awareness of our sin” (p.136).

Conclusion:

I was deeply encouraged by this book as the author examined Jesus Himself and His evangelistic approach. Though the chapters were easy to read, they had no absence of doctrinal “meat” and quality. Many times we hear of new methods of presenting the gospel and we feel obliged to learn them to be more effective witnesses for Christ, but instead of focusing on a new “fad” or survey for evangelistic fervor, Pastor Phillips goes directly to the final authority—Scripture—to fuel our passion for making God known.

“All Christians are called to evangelism. Jesus the Evangelist is our model. If we want to experience the power of God in our gospel witness, we must follow biblical principles of evangelism; we must present the true gospel in clear, scriptural terms; and we must follow Jesus’ example in the practice of evangelizing actual people” (p.4).

I highly commend this book for Christians who are already passionate in their evangelism and for those who are not quite where they would want to be. Let us all be bold in our proclamation of the gospel—both in life and lips—to the glory of God.

Thoughts for Young Men

John Charles Ryle

62 pages

First Publishing in 1886
Charles Nolan (2002)

Recommend: Yes

Genre: Christian Living/Men

Introduction:

J.C. Ryle (1816-1900) was the first Bishop of Liverpool (Anglican Church). This book is a short yet passionate plea of a man in the latter years of life who was no doubt qualified to address young men. Page after page one finds that this booklet is full of truths that are no less relevant today than as when they were written more than a hundred years ago.

Book Structure:

The books is divided into four sections with a conclusion. In section one, Ryle begins with reasons for his exhorting young men. In section two, he then focuses on five specific dangers which young men to be warned of (e.g. pride, the love of pleasure, the fear of man’s opinions, etc.). In section three, he outlines some general suggestions which he entreats young men to receive and then in section four he lays down some practical specific “rules of conduct” which he strongly advises young men to follow. Ryle then concludes with the results of heeding such exhortations as he has laid out.

Notable Quotes:

• “Youth is the seedtime of full age—the mouldering season in the little space of human life—the turning point in the history of man’s life. By the shoot we judge the tree—by the blossoms we judge the fruit—by the the spring we judge the harvest—by the morning we judge the day—and by the character of the young man, we may generally judge what he will be when he grows up” (p.11).
• “It is terrible to observe the power which it has over most minds, and especially over the minds of the young. Few seem to have any opinions of their own, or to think for themselves. Like dead fish, they go with the stream and tide: what others think right, they think right; and what call wrong, they call wrong too . . . . They dread the idea of going against the current of the times. In a word, the opinion of the day becomes their religion, their creed, their Bible, and their God” (pp.29,30).
• “Of ourselves we are all poor, empty creatures—empty of righteousness and peace—empty of strength and comfort—empty of courage and patience—empty of power to stand, or go on, or make progress in this evil world. It is in Christ alone that all these things are to be found—grace, peace, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. It is just in proportion as we live upon Him, that we are strong Christians. It is only when self is nothing and Christ is all our confidence, it is then only that we shall do great exploits” (p.35).
• “Think for a moment what you were sent into the world for. Not merely to eat and drink, and indulge the desires of the flesh—not merely to dress out your body, and follow its lusts whithersoever they may lead you—not merely to work, and sleep, and laugh, and talk, and enjoy yourselves, and think nothing but time. No! you were meant for something higher and better than this. You were placed here to train for eternity. Your body was only intended to be a house for your immortal spirit. It is flying in th face of God’s purposes to do as many do—to make the soul a servant to the body, and not the body a servant to the soul” (p.37).
• “A hasty glance at the Bible now and then does little good. At that rate you will never become familiar with its treasures, or feel the sword of the Spirit fitted to your hand in the hour of conflict. But get your mind stored with Scripture, by diligent reading, and you will soon discover its value and power. Texts will rise up in your hearts in the moment of temptation. Commands will suggest themselves in seasons of doubt. Promises will come across your thoughts in the time of discouragement. And thus you will experience the truth of David’s words, ‘Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee’ (Ps. 119:11) . . .” (p.42).
• “Nothing darken they eyes of the mind so much, and deadens the conscience so surely, as an allowed sin. It may be a little one, but it is not the less dangerous for all that. A small leak will sink a great ship, and a small spark will kindle a great fire, and a little allowed sin in like manner will ruin an immortal soul. Take my advice, and never spare a little sin” (p.46).
• “Godliness has indeed the promise of this life, as well as of that to come. There is a solid peace in feeling that God is your friend. There is a real satisfaction in knowing that however great your unworthiness, you are complete in Christ—that you have an enduring portion—that you have chosen that good part which shall not be taken from you . . . . Young men, these things are true. Suffer the word of exhortation. Be persuaded. Take up the cross. Follow Christ. Yield yourselves unto God” (p.62).

Conclusion:

I read this book on a bus ride to the mall . . . and I’m so grateful that I did. In the preface to the book, J.C. Ryle wrote this:

“I am growing old myself, but there are few things I remember so well as the days of my youth. I have a most distinct recollection of the joys and the sorrows, the hopes and the fears, the temptations and the difficulties, the mistaken judgments and the misplaced affections, the errors and the aspirations, which surround and accompany a young man’s life. If I can only say something to keep some young man in the right way, and preserve him from faults and sins, which may mar his prospects both for time and eternity, I shall be very thankful” (p.5).

Well J.C., you did your job with me—thanks. While I know men such as him are not popular nowadays, I cannot do justice to my own conscience if I do not say that his exhortations are more practical and timely than many of today’s most popular authors.

The Legacy of Sovereign Joy: God’s Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine, Luther, and Calvin

John Piper

160 pages

Crossway Books (2000)

Recommend: Yes

Genre: Biography/Church History

Introduction:

Aurelius Augustine [354-430]. Martin Luther [1483-1546]. John Calvin [1509-1564]. When we think of these men, we often get the picture of stained-glass saints who had some sort of deep unknowable union with God which we will never experience as they did.

John Piper, in this part one of The Swans Are Not Silent series, examines the lives of these three men with their imperfections who beheld the glory of God and were transformed by the work of the “sovereign joy” of His grace.

Book Structure:

Neatly structured, the book begins with an introduction into all three men and how they all shared the passion to “. . . display above all things the glory of God through the exaltation of his omnipotent grace” (p.24). Piper then follows with part 1 as he gazes at the life of Augustine who abandoned all earthly pleasure for the sake of the “liberating power of holy pleasure.”

Following suit, part 2 focuses on Luther and his passion for the studying of the Word which led to his finding of the unadulterated gospel which ultimately paved the way to the Reformation itself.

Part 3 then looks at Calvin and his astonishment of the majesty of God revealed in Scripture which molded him to be a preacher of the Word and to proclaim it to the common people who had been denied it for so long. The book then finishes with four very practical lessons to be gleaned from the lives of these flawed saints whom God graciously used to reflect, however dimly, the glory of Himself.

Notable Quotes:

• “God ordains that we gaze on his glory, dimly mirrored in the ministry of his flawed servants. He intends for us to consider their lives and peer through the imperfections of their faith and behold the beauty of their God . . . . The history of the world is a field strewn with broken stones, which are sacred altars designed to waken worship in the hearts of those will take time to read and remember . . . . Those who nurture their hope in the history of grace will live their lives to the glory of God” (pp.17,18).
• “Beware of replacing the pure mountain of Scripture with the sullied streams of great saints. They are precious, but they are not pure” (p.37).
• “We need to make plain that total depravity is not just badness, but blindness to beauty and deadness to joy; and unconditional election means that the completeness of our joy in Jesus was planned for us before we ever existed; and that limited atonement is the assurance that indestructible joy in God is infallibly secured by the blood of the covenant; and irresistible grace is the commitment and power of God’s love to make sure we don’t hold on to suicidal pleasures, and to set us free by the sovereign power of superior delights; and that the perseverance of the saints is the almighty work of God to keep us, through all affliction and suffering, for an inheritance of pleasures at God’s right hand forever” (p.73).
• “Prayer is the echo of the freedom and sufficiency of God in the heart of powerless man” (pp.110-111).
• “The quest for holiness is the quest for satisfaction in God. And satisfaction in God is a divine gift of sovereign joy . . . . The battle for holiness is a battle to be fought mainly by fueling the fires of our passion for Christ” (pp.145,146).

Conclusion:

These men, though centuries apart from me, have become my dearest friends. In seeing the lives of these men, I see myself and my complete inadequacy before a holy and righteous God. They weren’t great at all, but they did serve a God who, under no obligation, used them mightily to turn this world upside down (or better said, rightside up). My heart’s passion has been rekindled by the gazing of these men who understood the glory of God better than I ever will. I hope it does the same for you.

Though small and non-exhaustive, this book serves as a general introduction into these three men who unquestionably made an indelible impression on this world for the glory of God.

The Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing

C.J. Mahaney

96 pages

Multnomah (2002)

Recommend: Yes

Genre: Christian Living

Introduction:

When we walk into our rooms we turn on the lights. Do you ever stop with a jaw-dropping awe for the ability to see so clearly? Imagine bringing anyone from the past centuries into our modern-day world. They would revel and be continually astonished as they walk into rooms where light is of no scarcity, literally a fingertip away. It has been pointed out that familiarity often breeds contempt. In other words, the more we are familiar with something, the easier is it for that something to be taken for granted or even despised. We see it all the time when kids get a new toy or a person finally buys a new house.

When it comes down the gospel, how easy is it for many of us, over time, to lose the passion or awe we once had? How easy it is for us to take the cross for granted as if it weren’t of utmost importance. This occurs when we become sidetracked by other things and we lose sight of the “main thing,” the gospel. Mahaney, who pastored Covenant Life Church for 27 years (which is now pastored by Joshua Harris since 2004), now leads Sovereign Grace Ministries (a church-planting organization with over 60 churches in 6 countries). In November of 2006, I had the privilege of meeting Mahaney, very briefly, in Washington, D.C. at the annual Evangelical Theological Society conference and was able to thank him in person for his unwavering commitment to the centrality of the gospel and his example as a man who is sold out for its bold proclamation (and for this book of which I now write). This book deals with our keeping the cross the main thing.

Book Structure:

“Sometimes the most obvious truths are the ones we need to be reminded of the most” (p.15). Mahaney begins by restating the obvious and foundational truths of the gospel that are so easy to lose sight of. He then moves to address certain things that often take the place of the gospel in our lives, mainly concentrating on three (legalism, condemnation, and subjectivism) where he then devotes a chapter to each of them. In the chapter on legalism, he defines and contrasts justification (being declared righteous) and sanctification (being made righteous) very succinctly. To conclude, he makes the point that the key to a cross centered life is to have cross centered days. To put this in practical perspective, he presents five ways in which he has stoked the passion in his life for the gospel: 1. Memorize the gospel; 2. Pray the gospel; 3. Sing the gospel; 4. Review how the gospel has changed you; and 5. Study the gospel. Mahaney then finishes it off with a final plea and passionate exhortation to never move on from the centrality and sufficiency of the gospel despite the difficulties of life, knowing what we have, we are press forward never losing sight of the cross.

Notable Quotes:

• “We’re never ‘more saved’ or ‘more loved’ by God. Our work is motivated by the grace God has poured in our lives” (p.34).
• “The Christian who desires to live a cross centered life will regularly face his own depravity and the seriousness of personal sin, squarely and unflinchingly. It’s a reality. But the reality of the death and resurrection of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin is even greater . . . . So admit you’re the worst sinner you know. Admit you’re unworthy and deserve to be condemned. But don’t stop there! Move on to rejoicing in the Savior who came to save the worst of sinners. Lay down the luggage of condemnation and kneel down in worship at the feet of Him who bore your sins. Cry tears of amazement” (pp.42,44)
• “Never be content with your current grasp of the gospel. The gospel is life-permeating, world-altering, universe-changing truth. It has more facets than any diamond. Its depth man will never exhaust” (p. 67).
• “I’m a Christian because God showed me mercy, not because I was worthy or wanting to be saved. No, I wasn’t searching for God. I was stoned” (p.72).
• “I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I do know this: Because of the cross I’ll be doing much better than I deserve. That’s why, for the rest of my life, I want to move deeper into the wonderful mystery of God’s love for me” (p. 85).

Conclusion:

This book is an easy read for anyone. It is not meant to be a deep theological dissertation on the cross, but rather a simplistic and coming back to the basics of our faith. It is in its simplicity where this book has its greatest strength: everything flows out of the cross of Christ. Simple, yet utterly profound.

We must never lose sight of the gospel regardless of how long we have been saved. The gospel will never be too old, because it is in the cross where we received grace and where we’ll continually supply our hope.

With a heart full of gratitude, I recommend this book for both new and old believer alike. I trust that your passion for the gospel would be rekindled, as has mine, in reading this book whose author is the first to admit that he is a detestable and wretched man. We are all in the same boat. That’s why the cross shines ever brighter in light of our sin.

Fool’s Gold?: Discerning Truth In An Age of Error

John MacArthur (editor)

224 pages

Crossway Books (2005)

Recommend: Yes

Genre: Christian Living/Evangelicalism/Cultural Issues

Introduction:

How are we to distinguish gold from “fool’s gold”? This is a question that perplexed many in the 1800’s with the “gold rush” that swept the many hopefuls that left all behind in search for fortune. In Fool’s Gold?, John MacArthur, along with other staff members from Grace Community Church, tackle a wide variety of trends in the evangelical world that seem to offer hope and answers, when in fact they might be a bit misleading. All that glitters is not gold.

Book Structure:

There are four parts to the book. In the first part, MacArthur unabashedly calls for discernment rooted in Scripture, offering three points from 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22. Having established a foundation for biblical discernment, he then presents the negative results of “watered-down” preaching which seems to pervade the contemporary Christian community today.

In the second part, four different popular books are addressed and critiqued from a biblical standpoint–in a way modeling for the reader what it looks like to employ biblical discernment: 1. Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life; 2. N.T. Wright’s What Saint Paul Really Said; 3. John Eldredge’s Wild at Heart; and 4. The Resolve New Testament Bible-zine for girls. The third part deals with very provocative issues such as contemporary Christian music, “altar calls” and invitations to “receive Christ into your heart,” the Christian’s approach to politics, and the consumeristic mind-set that many adopt within the church.

And the finally, the book concludes with a doctrinal and practical framework to implement as one seeks to discern which hills are worth dying on and to live a life much like the Bereans, who Luke tells us in Acts 17 were of “noble character” because they “received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (v.11, emphasis added).

Notable Quotes:

• “If the current current hunger for ecumenical compromise, pragmatic sanctification, and numerical success continues to gain a foothold within evangelicalism, it will result in an unmitigated spiritual disaster . . . . The church will never manifest its power in society until we regain a passionate love for truth and corollary hatred for error” (pp.14,15).
• “. . .[W]orship is a transcendent experience. Worship should take us above the mundane and simplistic. So the only way true worship can occur is if we first come to grips with the depth of spiritual truth. Our people can only rise high in worship in the same proportion to which we have taken them deep into the profound truths of the Word. There is no way they can have lofty thoughts of God unless we have plunged them into the depths of God’s self-revelation” (p.38).
• “So let the man who searches for true masculinity look no further than the pages of Scripture, for there he will find the truth about himself from the mouth of his Creator. Let his ears not be tickled by the whims of men, but let his mind be trained by the Word of God. And before any man looks for his battle to fight, his beauty to rescue, and his adventure to live, let him first look to his God to glorify” (p.95).
• “Our only sure defense against false doctrine is to be discerning, to distrust our own emotions, to hold our own senses suspect, to examine all things, to test every truth-claim with the yardstick of Scripture, and to handle the Word of God with great care” (p.199).

Conclusion:

I heartily endorse this book to any Christian who seeks honor God and show discernment in what he reads and what he meditates on. I wish the authors would have tackled a few more popular books like Joel Osteen’s Your Best Life Now and some of the emerging church books that seem to popping up everywhere. Overall, I think the authors did a great job in laying a foundation in the Word for discernment and then demonstrating what that looks like in some books (many of which I have read have benefited from). There a few minor criticisms I have of the book, but they in no way undermine the overall flow that makes this a great read as we can expect from John MacArthur.

If we lose the ability to discern, then we lose the ability to distinguish truth from error; when this occurs, our gospel becomes vulnerable to the onslaught of false speculations and lofty ideas that present themselves against the Truth. We then become confused and apathetic to the essentials of our faith, thinking it only a matter of preference.

May we all be known for our discernment as we test everything and hold on to the good (1 Thess. 4:21) and in so doing, God will receive the glory!